New Realities: photography in the 19th Century

Abstract

The invention of photography in 1839 led to a revolution in visual culture: photography both portrayed and created the modern world. For the first time, it was possible to depict and unlock every facet of that world. Photography secured a position in every field: in science, the arts, daily life and in the reporting of what was happening in the world. Presenting a selection of more than 300 photographs from the large and important collection of the Rijksmuseum, 'New Realities' provides an impressive overview of the international development of photography. Major highlights include the earliest travel photos, motion studies by Eadweard Muybridge, advertising photography, portraits, scenes from everyday life, the earliest photograph taken in Suriname and amazing shots that were made by microscope and telescope.